TROPICAL STORM TORAJI (03W) MOVING ONSHORE NEAR THE VIETNAM-CHINA BORDER...EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN THE COMING HOURS.

+ FORECAST OUTLOOK: TORAJI is expected to dissipate over land (Western China) within 12 to 24 hours after making landfall along the Vietnam-China border early tonight.

+ EFFECTS: TORAJI's cloud circulation continues to cover por-tions of Northern Vietnam, Western Hainan and the Gulf of Ton-kin, bringing gale-force winds and widespread rains across the area. Flooding can be expected along the low-lying areas of Northern Vietnam and Western Hainan as moderate to heavy rains can be expected today.

+ TROPICAL CYCLONE WATCH: The Tropical Disturbance (90W/LPA/1008 MB) over the Philippine Sea remained almost stationary to the East of Siargao Island. It was relocated once again about 285 km ENE of Siargao Island or 405 km ESE of Tacloban City, Leyte (10.1N 128.5E)...with wind speeds of 30 km/hr and was moving WNW slowly. This disturbance will be closely moni-tored for possible development into a Tropical Depression (TD).

Important Note:Please keep in mind that the above forecast outlook, effects & current monsoon intensity, and tropical cyclone watch changes every 06 to 12 hours!_______________________________________________________________________

>> TORAJI{pronounced: to~ra~gee}, meaning: Beautiful flower which blooms unnoticed, usually found in deep mountains of Korea, for its usefulness as food and medicine. Name contributed by:DPR Korea._______________________________________________________________________

* - Based on PAGASA's Philippine Storm Warning Signals, # 4 being the highest. Red letters indicate new areas being hoisted. For more explanations on these signals, visit: http://www.typhoon2000.ph/signals.htm

** - Based on the Tropical Cyclone's Wave Height near its center.__________________________________________________________________________________________>> To know the meteorological terminologies and acronyms used on this update visit the ff: